Methods and systems for storage of renewable energy sources in increased energy density coal

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from a coal-fired power plant by using thermal energy from a non-carbon source to reduce the amount of electrical energy needed to reduce the moisture content of coal and increase the energy density of coal prior to combustion are provided. The system includes at least one non-carbon thermal energy source; a coal processing plant configured to reduce the moisture content of coal and produce an increased energy density beneficiated coal, wherein said at least one non-carbon thermal energy source is used to reduce an electrical need of the coal processing plant; and a coal-fired power plant configured to combust the increased energy density beneficiated coal thereby producing electricity on demand at an increased efficiency with reduced carbon dioxide emissions from the plant. The renewable energy source is selected from microwave, hydroelectric power, solar power, wind power, and/or wave power.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods and systems for the storage ofrenewable energy sources in solid fuels, in particular coal. Moreparticularly the invention relates to the storage of electrical energyfrom renewable energy sources in an increased energy density coal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Due to the rising threat of increased carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissionsfrom fossil fuel combustion, there has been a worldwide effort to curbemissions of carbon dioxide in the generation of electrical power byswitching from coal-burning production plants to renewable energypower/electricity generation. However, renewable energy sources sufferfrom several drawbacks that limit their usefulness as alternatives tofossil fuel. Power generation by renewable energy sources may beintermittent and inconsistent and can vary seasonally, diurnally, or besubject to instantaneous interruption depending on whether the wind isblowing or the sun is shining. Thus, renewable energy sources of powerare unpredictable because of their dependence upon micro- andmacro-climatic conditions. Because the power generation from renewablesmay be intermittent and inconsistent, the power generation may or maynot coincide with the timing of demand from power consumers, e.g. atnight for solar power sources. Additionally, the optimum locations forrenewable generation, such as the desert areas in the West maximizesolar generation and remote areas of Wyoming and the Dakotas for wind,are not located near population or industrial centers, creating issuesin the transmission of the electricity to places where it is needed.Moreover, the intermittency creates rapid response requirements forconventional power generation that produces stress on equipment andlimits how much renewable energy can be effectively integrated onto theenergy supply grid.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the reliance on renewal energysources to produce electricity are producing power gluts world-wide somuch so that in Australia the spiking prices of electricity when thewind was not blowing drove the government to ask the power company toturn on a gas-fired plant that had been decommissioned. The questionraised by Climate Works is “how does the world decarbonize theelectricity sector, while keeping the lights on, keeping costs low andavoiding unintended consequences that could make CO₂ emissionsincrease?” One solution is to integrate the production of renewableenergy with baseload power generation by coal-fired power plants so thatthey work seamlessly together.

An alternative way of reducing carbon emissions is to increase theefficiency of coal-fired generating plants. One means of accomplishingthis is to reduce the moisture content in the coal prior to combustion.However, since fossil fuels are used to generate both the electricityenergy and the thermal energy needed in coal processing plants to removemoisture and dry coal, the overall reduction in carbon emissions fromthe drying process is diminished.

Therefore, a need exists to store clean energy from renewable sources ina cost-effective way for later use as dispatchable electricity. A needalso exists to provide systems and methods for drying coal for storingelectrical from renewable energy sources in an increased energy densitycoal and then utilize that coal as demand requires. A need also existsto increase the capacity of renewable energy sources. A need also existsto maintain grid reliability by providing continuous dispatchableelectricity and to keep electricity affordable. A need also exists forthe long-term storage of clean energy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the foregoing needs by providing systemsand methods for interfacing renewable energy sources, such as solar,wind, hydroelectric and wave with coal beneficiation and drying toproduce an increased energy density coal. The present invention providesfor the short to long-term storage of renewable energy with subsequentconversion to dispatchable energy when needed, disconnects the timing ofpower generation by renewable energy from discharge time based ondemand, provides the ability to charge/store energy in one location anddischarge energy in another, enables conventional coal-burning plants tooperate at optimum conditions and thus facilitates the addition ofgreater amounts of renewable energy while maintaining grid reliability.

Advantageously, the invention also results in reduced CO₂ emissions inseveral different ways. By providing renewable energy sources for thebeneficiation and drying of coal, the beneficiation process has alowered CO₂ output. Furthermore, beneficiated and dried coal producesless CO₂ per unit of electricity generated than non-beneficiated coaldue to the increased stored energy content of beneficiated coal and thereduced energy loses during combustion due to latent heat ofvaporization of water in the coal. The reduced volume of coal burned toproduce a given quantity of electricity reduces parasitic losses in theplant, which leads to additional reductions in CO₂ emissions.

Accordingly, in some aspects, the present invention is directed tosystems and methods for increasing the stored energy content of coal. Inother aspects the present invention is directed to decreasing emissionsof carbon dioxide from coal processing plants by providing electricityfrom renewable energy sources in conjunction with methods and systemsdisclosed in U.S. Appln. Publn. Nos: [Atty. Docket No. 161487.00003entitled Methods and Systems for Decreasing Emissions of Carbon Dioxidefrom Coal-Fired Power Plants, filed Jun. 12, 2017 and Atty. Docket No.161487.00005 entitled Methods and Systems for the Storage of NuclearEnergy in Increased Energy Density Coal, filed Jun. 12, 2017]. In someaspects, the coal may include peat coal, lignite coal, sub-bituminouscoal, bituminous coal, anthracite coal and combinations of theforegoing. In some aspects, the method comprises providing electricalrenewable energy sources to dry and beneficiate coal. The energyprovided by the renewable energy source powers the coal beneficiationprocess.

In some aspects, a system for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from acoal-fired power plant by using thermal energy from a non-carbon sourceto reduce the amount of electrical energy needed to reduce the moisturecontent of coal and increase the energy density of coal prior tocombustion is provided. The system includes at least one non-carbonthermal energy source; a coal processing plant configured to reduce themoisture content of coal and produce an increased energy densitybeneficiated coal, wherein said at least one non-carbon thermal energysource is used to reduce an electrical need of the coal processingplant; and a coal-fired power plant configured to combust the increasedenergy density beneficiated coal thereby producing electricity on demandat an increased efficiency with reduced carbon dioxide emissions fromthe plant.

In some aspects, the non-carbon thermal energy source is selected from asolar thermal energy source, a geothermal energy source, a biomassenergy source and combinations of the foregoing.

In some aspects, the thermal energy source is a fossil fuel combustorintegrated with the non-carbon thermal energy source and configured tosupplement the non-carbon thermal energy source.

In some aspects, a location of the coal processing plant is selectedfrom a coal mine, a coal transportation terminal, a coal-fired powerplant, a same site as the non-carbon thermal energy source andcombinations of the foregoing.

In some aspects, the coal transportation terminal is selected fromterminals providing access to a ship, barge, rail, truck andcombinations of the foregoing.

In some aspects, the coal processing plant is integrated with acoal-fired power plant and shares use of coal handling, coal crushingand coal conveying equipment.

In some aspects, the increased energy density coal is configured to bestored, transported and later combusted to produce said electricity ondemand.

In some aspects, the at least one non-carbon thermal energy source isconfigured to be used in the mechanical compression of coal during orprior to a beneficiation process.

In some aspects, the at least one non-carbon thermal energy source isconfigured to be used to convert electrical energy to microwave energyto reduce the moisture content of the coal.

In some aspects, the non-carbon thermal energy source is configured topreheat the coal prior to processing.

In some aspects, the inventive system includes a working fluidconfigured to transport thermal energy from the non-carbon source ofthermal energy to the coal processing plant. The system may also includea heat exchanger to recover thermal energy from the working fluid foruse in the coal processing plant.

In other aspects of the invention, a system to store thermal energy froma non-carbon source by using the thermal energy in a coal processingplant to decrease the moisture content of coal resulting in an increasedenergy density beneficiated coal that can be subsequently combusted toproduce electricity on demand is provided. The system may include atleast one non-carbon thermal energy source; a coal preparation plant forbeneficiating the coal, wherein energy from the at least one non-carbonthermal energy source is stored in a beneficiated increased energydensity coal, and a coal-fired power plant configured to recover thestored energy by combusting the beneficiated coal to produce electricityon demand at an increased efficiency.

In other aspects, the at least one non-carbon thermal energy source isselected from a solar thermal energy source, a geothermal energy source,a biomass energy source and combinations of the foregoing.

In other aspects, a location of the coal preparation plant is selectedfrom a coal mine, a coal transportation terminal, a coal-fired powerplant, a same site as the non-carbon thermal energy source andcombinations of the foregoing.

In other aspects, the coal transportation terminal is selected fromterminals providing access to a ship, barge, rail, truck andcombinations of the foregoing.

In other aspects, the coal processing plant is integrated with acoal-fired power plant and shares use of coal handling, coal crushingand coal conveying equipment.

In other aspects, the increased energy density coal is configured to bestored, transported and subsequently combusted to produce saidelectricity on demand.

In other aspects, the at least one non-carbon thermal energy source isconfigured to preheat the coal prior to processing.

In other aspects, the system includes a working fluid configured totransport thermal energy from the at least one non-carbon source ofthermal energy to the coal processing plant. In other aspects, thesystem may also include a heat exchanger configured to recover thermalenergy from the working fluid for use in the coal processing plant.

In other aspects, the system includes a thermal storage systemconfigured to store energy from the at least one non-carbon source ofthermal energy for later use in the coal processing plant.

In some aspects, a system to convert low quality thermal energy fromnon-carbon energy sources to electricity on demand by using thelow-quality thermal energy from non-carbon sources in a coal processingplant to reduce the moisture content of coal resulting in an increasedenergy density beneficiated coal that can be later combusted to produceelectricity on demand is provided. The system may include at least onenon-carbon thermal energy source; a coal preparation plant forbeneficiating the coal, wherein the at least one non-carbon thermalenergy source is configured to support the reduction of moisture contentin the coal thereby producing the increased energy density beneficiatedcoal that stores the at least one non-carbon thermal energy source; anda coal-fired power plant configured to convert the stored thermal energyin the coal to electricity on demand by combusting the increased energydensity beneficiated coal at an increased efficiency.

In some aspects, the non-carbon thermal energy source is selected from asolar thermal energy source, a geothermal energy source, a biomassenergy source and combinations of the foregoing.

In some aspects, a location of the coal preparation plant is selectedfrom a coal mine, a coal transportation terminal, a coal-fired powerplant, a same site as the non-carbon thermal energy source andcombinations of the foregoing.

In some aspects, the coal transportation terminal is selected fromterminals providing access to a ship, barge, rail, truck andcombinations of the foregoing.

In some aspects, the coal processing plant is integrated with acoal-fired power plant and shares use of coal handling, coal crushingand coal conveying equipment.

In some aspects, the at least one non-carbon thermal energy source isconfigured to preheat the coal prior to processing.

In some aspects, the system includes a working fluid configured totransport thermal energy from the at least one non-carbon thermal energysource to the coal processing plant. The system may also include a heatexchanger configured to recover thermal energy from the working fluidfor use in the coal processing plant.

In some aspects, the electricity provided by the renewable energysources is used to drive mechanical and electrical systems which mayinclude grinding, milling, crushing, pulverizing, kneading, blending,high-pressure compression and compaction and the like to physicallydisrupt the coal to release moisture after which it may be furtherdried, if necessary. In some aspects, the electricity provided by therenewable energy sources is used to power microwave generators to beused in the drying of coal.

In some aspects, the electrical energy source may include ahydroelectric power source, a wind power source, a wave power source, ora solar power source. Electricity is first generated by one or more ofthe foregoing sources and then used to operate equipment necessary todry the coal. In some aspects, the hydroelectric power source is ahydroelectric dam. In some aspects, the hydroelectric power source is atidal power source. In some aspects, the wind power source comprises awind turbine. In some aspects, the wind turbines are arranged in anarray. In some aspects, the renewable energy source comprises a wavepower source. In some aspects, the solar power source comprisesphotovoltaic panels. In some aspects, the solar power comprises aconcentrated solar thermal plant with a steam turbine that produceselectricity.

Instead of putting the electricity generated by renewable energy sourcesdirectly on transmission lines, it may be used to operate the electricalequipment needed to beneficiate and dry coal. Or the electrical energymay be converted to thermal energy such as through electrical resistanceheating or converted to microwave energy, which is then used in thedrying process. The renewable energy may then be recovered at a laterpoint in time when the dried coal is burned to generate electricity. Inthis way intermittent, non-dispatchable power is converted toelectricity on demand.

In some aspects, the energy to beneficiate and dry the coal may comprisea thermal energy source from the combustion of fossil fuel to assist thedrying of the coal in the beneficiation process. In some aspects, theenergy to beneficiate and dry the coal may comprise a thermal energysource from waste heat to assist the drying of the coal in thebeneficiation process.

In some aspects, the coal beneficiation process comprises reducing thewater content of coal. In some aspects, the total water content of coalmay be reduced by about 5%. In some aspects, the total water content ofcoal may be reduced by about 10%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 15%. In some aspects, the totalwater content of coal may be reduced by about 20%. In some aspects, thetotal water content of coal may be reduced by about 25%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 30%. Insome aspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about35%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced byabout 40%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 45%. In some aspects, the total water content of coalmay be reduced by about 50%. In some aspects, the total water content ofcoal may be reduced by about 55%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 60%. In some aspects, the totalwater content of coal may be reduced by about 65%. In some aspects, thetotal water content of coal may be reduced by about 70%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 75%. Insome aspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about80%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced byabout 85%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 90%. In some aspects, the total water content of coalmay be reduced by about 95%. In some aspects, the total water content ofcoal may be reduced by about 98%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 99%. In some aspects, the totalwater content of coal may be reduced by greater than 99%.

In some aspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about1% to about 5%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 1% to about 10%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 5% to about 10%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 5% toabout 15%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 10% to about 15%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 10% to about 20%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 15% toabout 20%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 15% to about 25%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 20% to about 25%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 20% toabout 30%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 25% to about 30%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 25% to about 35%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 30% toabout 35%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 30% to about 40%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 35% to about 40%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 35% toabout 45%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 40% to about 45%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 40% to about 50%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 45% toabout 50%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 45% to about 55%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 50% to about 55%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 50% toabout 60%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 55% to about 60%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 55% to about 65%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 60% toabout 65%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 60% to about 70%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 65% to about 70%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 65% toabout 75%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 70% to about 75%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 70% to about 80%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 75% toabout 80%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 75% to about 85%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 80% to about 85%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 80% toabout 90%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 85% to about 90%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 85% to about 95%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 90% toabout 95%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 90% to about 98%. In some aspects, the total watercontent of coal may be reduced by about 95% to about 98%. In someaspects, the total water content of coal may be reduced by about 90% toabout 99%. In some aspects, the total water content of coal may bereduced by about 95% to about 99%.

In some aspects, the coal beneficiation and drying process increases thestored energy content of the coal. In some aspects, the stored energycontent may be increased greater than 10%. In some aspects, the storedenergy content may be increased greater than 20%. In some aspects, thestored energy content may be increased greater than 30%. In someaspects, the stored energy content may be increased greater than 40%. Insome aspects, the stored energy content may be increased greater than50%. In some aspects, the stored energy content may be increased greaterthan 60%. In some aspects, the stored energy content may be increasedgreater than 70%. In some aspects, the stored energy content may beincreased greater than 80%. In some aspects, the stored energy contentmay be increased greater than 90%. In some aspects, the stored energycontent may be increased greater than 100%. In some aspects, the storedenergy content may be increased greater than 110%. In some aspects, thestored energy content may be increased greater than 120%. In someaspects, the stored energy content may be increased greater than 130%.In some aspects, the stored energy content may be increased greater than140%. In some aspects, the stored energy content may be increasedgreater than 150%. In some aspects, the stored energy content may beincreased greater than 160%. In some aspects, the stored energy contentmay be increased greater than 170%. In some aspects, the stored energycontent may be increased greater than 180%. In some aspects, the storedenergy content may be increased greater than 190%. In some aspects, thestored energy content may be increased greater than 200%. In someaspects, the coal beneficiation process comprises mechanical waterreduction.

In some aspects, the coal beneficiation process comprises the additionof an additive to the coal to remove mercury. In some aspects, theadditive comprises a halogen. In some aspects, the halogen comprisesbromine. In some aspects, the halogen comprises chlorine. In someaspects, the halogen comprises iodine. In some aspects, the halogencomprises fluorine. In some aspects, the additive comprises a metal. Insome aspects, the metal comprises silver. In some aspects, the metalcomprises zinc.

In some aspects, the coal beneficiation process may be performed at acoal preparation plant. In some aspects, the coal preparation plant maybe located at the same site as the renewable energy source. In someaspects, the coal preparation plant may be located at a different siteas the renewable energy source. In some aspects, the coal preparationplant may be located at a coal mine. In some aspects, the coalpreparation plant may be located at a coal transportation terminal. Insome aspects, the coal transportation terminal comprises a ship. In someaspects, the coal transportation terminal comprises a barge. In someaspects, the coal transportation terminal comprises a rail. In someaspects, the coal transportation terminal comprises a truck. In someaspects, the coal preparation plant may be located at a coal-fired powerplant. In some aspects, the coal preparation plant may be integratedwith the coal handling equipment at the power plant. In some aspects,the renewable energy source may be located at a coal-fired power plant.In this way charging time and discharge time may be separated. Forexample, the coal may be dried and beneficiated in one location and theenergy stored there within is discharged at another location.Alternatively, the coal may be dried and beneficiated in one locationand then transported to another location for long-term storage.

In another aspect of the invention a thermal energy source may be usedin the coal beneficiation process. The thermal energy may comprise heatgenerated by the combustion of fossil fired burner (coal, oil and/orgas) or waste heat from a power plant or industrial process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one configuration of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an alternative configuration of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There are a number of known coal beneficiation processes in the art,e.g. those as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,958; U.S. Pat. No.4,252,639; U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,248; U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,842; U.S. Pat.No. 4,632,750; U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,824; U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,258; U.S.Pat. No. 7,901,473; U.S. Pat. No. 8,585,788; U.S. Pat. No. 8,579,998;U.S. Pat. No. 8,647,400; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,925,729, the disclosure ofeach of which is incorporated by reference in their entirety. However,each of these processes has inherent limitations in that the coalbeneficiation processes described therein are not integrated with arenewable energy source so that the net overall environmental impact ofsuch coal beneficiation processes is limited, principally that such coalbeneficiation processes require an enormous amount of energy supplied bycarbon generating sources such that even if the end result is a moreenergy-dense coal product, the net benefit on environmental impact isreduced or even minimalized in many circumstances.

An alternative to coal-fired power generation that does not result inemissions of carbon dioxide is the use of renewable energy sources suchas wind, solar, and hydroelectric energy. However, these sources, whileclean, are intermittent and subject to seasonal, daily, andinstantaneous fluctuations in generation. Thus, they cannot be dependedupon for a continuous source of electricity to meet demand.

A solution to this issue of intermittency of renewable generation is touse energy storage systems, such as batteries, compressed and/or liquidair systems, and pumped hydro systems (distinct from hydroelectricenergy sources used in the present invention). These systems are limitedin all practicality to short-term storage, such as batteries that areonly capable of storing energy for a few minutes to a few hours, or theysuffer from significant energy loss and inefficiency. For example,liquid air systems operate at significantly less than 80% efficiency,leading to large losses of energy during storage. The present inventionsolves this technical problem by integrating renewable energy sourceswith coal beneficiation processes to reduce the overall environmentalimpact of the coal-processing plant and to provide consistent energysources in the form of beneficiated coal. Integrating renewable energysources with coal beneficiation processes has a number of distinctpotential advantages over the prior art, including advantages overstandalone renewable energy sources and other stored energy systems.

Some of the advantages are as follows. Integrating renewable energysources with coal beneficiation processes allows for grid level storageand generation of dispatchable energy. In many circumstances, renewableenergy sources as stand-alone sources of energy provide insufficientpower output for urban cities and other major population centers,especially in the developed and developing world. Beneficiated coal iscapable of being produced in an amount to produce hundreds to thousandsof megawatts (MWs) of electrical power. For example, beneficiated coalmay be produced in an amount sufficient to power a 5 MW rated plant, a10 MW rated plant, a 25 MW rated plant, a 50 MW rated plant, a 75 MWrated plant, a 100 MW rated plant, a 125 MW rated plant, a 150 MW ratedplant, a 175 MW rated plant, a 200 MW rated plant, a 225 MW rated plant,a 250 MW rated plant, a 275 MW rated plant, a 300 MW rated plant, a 325MW rated plant, a 350 MW rated plant, a 375 MW rated plant, a 400 MWrated plant, a 425 MW rated plant, a 450 MW rated plant, a 475 MW ratedplant, a 500 MW rated plant, a 525 MW rated plant, a 550 MW rated plant,a 575 MW rated plant, a 600 MW rated plant, a 625 MW rated plant, a 650MW rated plant, a 675 MW rated plant, a 700 MW rated plant, a 725 MWrated plant, a 750 MW rated plant, a 775 MW rated plant, a 800 MW ratedplant, a 825 MW rated plant, a 825 MW rated plant, a 875 MW rated plant,a 900 MW rated plant, a 925 MW rated plant, a 950 MW rated plant, a 975MW rated plant, a 1,000 MW rated plant, or plants rated above 1,000 MW,and any intervening ranges therein.

EXAMPLE I

Assume a base case of a 500 MW coal-fired power plant with a heat rateof 10,500 BTU/kWh burning 2.2 MT/yr of subbituminous coal from thePowder River Basin with a moisture content of 26% and an energy contentof 8900 BTU/lb. The power plant generates 1.2 Tons of CO2/MW-hr. Byinstalling a renewable source of electricity, e.g. wind or solar)capable of generating 60 MWs of electricity at a 30% capacity, it willreduce the electricity needed from the power plant by 120,000 MW-hrseach year resulting in a decrease of 143,000 tons of carbon dioxideemitted each year.

EXAMPLE II

However, by using the system in accordance with the invention, a greaterbenefit than set forth in Example I could be achieved if rather thanputting the renewable electricity directly on the transmission lines,the electricity is instead used to beneficiate/dry coal. Assume the coalbeneficiating plant treats all of the 2.2 MT/yr of the coal feeding thebase case power plant described in Example I, reducing the moisturecontent to 13% and thereby increasing the energy content of the treatedcoal to 9,900 BTU/lb. By using the system in accordance with theinvention, the entire output of the 60 MW renewable generation system isprovided to the coal beneficiation plant, which represents 50% of theelectricity needed to dry the coal with the remainder, 120,000MW-hrs/yr, coming from the coal-fired power plant. When this coal isburned in the power plant to make electricity on demand, the combinationof synergistic effects and increased generation efficiency results inreducing the emissions of carbon dioxide by 516,000 tons/yr. This meansthat if the electricity generated by the renewable source is used in acoal drying process, it will increase the reduction of carbon dioxideemission by greater than a factor of three compared to using theelectricity to reduce the electrical output of the coal power plant asis the current strategy for using renewable electricity.

The other benefit of the approach described in Example II is that thecoal stores the intermittent electricity from the renewable source and,when burned, converts it into a form that can then be used to generateelectricity on demand. In addition, unlike other energy storage conceptswhich suffer from losses of stored energy as it cycles from charging todischarging, the concept disclosed in Example II will result in anincrease in energy as the higher density coal is burned to produceelectricity on demand. Under the conditions described in Example II, the120,000 MW-hrs of renewable electricity stored each year would result inan increase of 311,000 MW-hrs of electricity.

Beneficiated coal can be used immediately after being processed, but itis also capable of storing energy for a significant period of time, forseveral months up to a year or longer, as opposed to many other storedenergy sources such as batteries. For example, beneficiated coal mayhave a shelf life of at least 1 month, at least 2 months, at least 3months, at least 4 months, at least 5 months, at least 6 months, atleast 7 months, at least 8 months, at least 9 months, at least 10months, at least 11 months, at least 12 months, at least 13 months, atleast 14 months, at least 15 months, at least 16 months, at least 17months, at least 18 months, at least 19 months, at least 20 months, atleast 21 months, at least 22 months, at least 23 months, at least 24months, or greater than 24 months, and any intervening ranges therein.

Integrating renewable energy sources with coal beneficiation processesprovides for a disconnect between the timing of the energy produced bythe renewable energy source and the ultimate timing of the use of thestored energy to satisfy customer demand. This is especially relevant inthe case of renewable energy sources such as solar energy and windenergy, which are reliant on natural conditions beyond humanintervention. Beneficiated coal is superior to standalone renewableenergy sources because it provides a means of storing energy where therate of release of the stored energy is isolated and independent of therate of generation of the renewable energy. The storage of energy inbeneficiated coal is highly efficient so that most of the energy storedfrom the renewable energy sources can be recovered when the coal isburned to produce power. Furthermore, it allows the energy storagefacility to be located at the source of renewable energy generation andthe energy can be used at another location without the need fortransmission lines that are expensive and difficult to permit acrossprivate property, state and national borders.

In addition, the beneficiated coal can be shipped across oceans to othercountries that are not possible to reach by transmission lines becauseof cost and practical limitations. The beneficiated coal representsstored energy that can be transported by truck, rail, barge, or shipacross a continent, or around the world, to meet consumer demand forpower.

Because of the intermittency of renewable energy sources of electricity,it is necessary that coal-fired plants operate at different loadscycling in responses to instantaneous and diurnal changes in availablepower renewable power and changes in demand conditions. The cycling ofthe plant creates operations and maintenance problems for the plantequipment but also results in operating a non-optimal conditions. Acoal-fired plant is designed so that highest generation efficiency andlowest CO₂ production per unit of electricity produced occurs atapproximately 80% of rated capacity. Therefore, as the plant cycles tolower and higher capacity operating conditions, generation efficiency isreduced and relative CO₂ production increases. With the currentinvention, it is possible to use the beneficiated coal produced byintermittent energy in a manner to maintain steady operation independentof the timing and variability of the intermittent energy. In thismanner, the invention provides a buffering between the two generatingsources resulting in lower CO₂ production per unit power produced byoperating at more optimum conditions.

Coal beneficiation processes can be located at the site where coal ismined, at power plants where the coal is converted into energy, or attransportation terminals that feed into multiple different plants. Thecoal beneficiation process can occur at the site of the renewable energysource as well, or, all four can occur at the same site. This means thatat least the following combinations are possible. The coal beneficiationprocess, the coal power plant, the coal mining, and the renewable energysource can be at four different sites. The coal beneficiation process,the coal power plant, the coal mining, and the renewable energy sourcecan be all at the same site. The coal beneficiation process, the coalmining, and the renewable energy source can all be at the same site, andthe coal power plant at a different site. The coal beneficiation processand the coal mining can be at the same site, and the coal power plantand renewable energy source can be at a different site. The coalbeneficiation process can be at one site, and the renewable energysource, the power plant, and the coal mining at a different site orsites. The coal beneficiation process, the coal mining, and therenewable energy source can be at a same site and the coal power plantat a different site. The coal beneficiation process and renewable energysource can be at one site, and the coal mine and coal power plant at adifferent site or sites. The coal mining can be at one site, and thecoal beneficiation process, renewable energy source, and coal powerplant at a different site or sites. These combinations may be furtherexpanded to one or more additional sites.

In those embodiments where the coal beneficiation process is integratedwith the operation of a coal power plant, i.e. located at the same siteas the coal power plant, the coal beneficiation process can beintegrated into the operation of the coal power plant in order tofurther increase the operational efficiency of the coal power plant. Forexample, waste heat generated from the combustion of coal at a powerplant may be used to remove water or supplemental the removal of waterfrom coal prior to combustion. Interfacing the coal beneficiationprocess between the coal crusher and the pulverizer can save additionalenergy. This eliminates the need for separate coal crushing in thebeneficiation process as well as eliminating the need for briquettingthe beneficiated coal.

Referring now to FIG. 1 one example of integrating a renewable source ofenergy with coal beneficiation at a coal drying/processing plant isillustrated. Raw untreated coal is delivered by coal transportationsystem (2) to the coal processing plant (1) where moisture is removedduring a coal beneficiation process creating a coal with higher energydensity (6) which is then transported (7) to a power plant where it iscombusted to generate make dispatchable electricity. The coal processingplant (2) requires both electrical and thermal energy to dry the coal.The electrical energy comes from a combination of electricity from thegrid (4) and electricity from renewable sources (3). The thermal energycomes from a fossil-fired combustor (5).

Referring now to FIG. 2 another example of integrating a renewablesource of energy with coal beneficiation at a coal drying/processingplant is illustrated. FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration in which thecoal drying/processing plant (8) is integrated closely with a coal-firedpower plant (17). Raw untreated coal (14) stored in a pile is conveyedto a coal crusher (15) to reduce the size of the coal, after whichconveyer (16) the crushed coal to the coal-fired combustor (17). All orpart of the crushed coal is taken off of conveyor (16) and delivered byconveyer (10) to the coal processing plant (8) which dries the coalcreating a coal with a higher energy density (18) which is conveyed onbelt (19) to conveyer (16) where it is delivered to the coal-firedcombustor (17) which burns the coal to generate electricity which istransmitted on wire (11) to the grid. The coal processing plant (8)requires both electrical and thermal energy to dry the coal. Theelectrical energy comes from a combination of electricity from the grid(12), from the power plant (20), and electricity from renewable sources(9). The thermal energy comes from waste energy from the power plant(17) in the form of heated flue gas, low quality steam, or a workingfluid delivered via piping (13) to the coal processing plant (8) whereit is used in the drying of the coal.

Integrating renewable energy sources with coal beneficiation processesare compatible and complementary to the other means of reducing carbonemissions from coal-fired power plants including ultra- andsupercritical plants and CCS technologies. In those embodiments wherethe beneficiation occurs at a coal mine (as discussed supra), suchmethods will reduce the amount of coal needed to be transportedresulting in even further decreases in carbon emissions. As discussedherein, the coal beneficiation process may further comprise additives tothe coal, and/or reducing the emissions of particulate matter, sulfur,mercury, and other toxic substances. Additionally, reducing the amountof moisture in the coal will reduce the amount of coal being burnedwhich will improve the operation of several plant systems resulting inreducing the parasitic power needed to run the plant. For example, itwill lower the amount of pollutants and the volume of flue gas to betreated by air pollution control (APC) equipment. The reduced amount ofcoal will reduce the electrical power required to pulverize the coal.The lower volume of combustion gases will also reduce the power requiredby the fans to move the gases. This will have an added benefit ofreducing the pressure difference between the inside of the duct and theoutside air resulting in lower in-leakage of air which reduces theefficiency of the plants. All of these reductions in parasitic energyresult in a decrease in the amount of CO₂ produced per unit of netelectrical power generated by the plant. An additional benefit may bethe generation of greater amounts of electricity at a plant that wasoriginally designed for a higher heat content coal. This will allow thepower company to optimize how much power is generated from a lower CO₂emitting plant. The coal which is subject to coal beneficiation may beany type of coal, including peat coal, lignite coal, sub-bituminouscoal, bituminous coal, and anthracite, although one of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that coal with higher water content such assub-bituminous coal will benefit more from beneficiation than lowerwater content coal such as bituminous coal.

In some embodiments, the renewable energy source comprises a solar powerenergy source that produces electricity. Solar power has severaldistinct advantages and drawbacks. Solar power is totally renewable, andunder certain conditions, such as those found in the American Southwest,are capable of generating a large amount of electricity. However, solarenergy systems are diurnal and only capable of generating electricitywhen exposed to sunlight, thus their efficiency is limited. Currently,solar energy is stored in storage devices such as batteries, but asdiscussed herein such devices are not suitable for long-term storage orfor transport. Integrating solar energy into coal beneficiation allowsfor systems where the solar energy powers the coal beneficiation processto provide a product that is capable of long-term storage and providingconsistent output. Additionally, in those locations where solar energyis robust, during the daytime the solar power produced may be in excessof consumer demand at that time, which represents a good opportunity forimproved energy production and storage.

Solar energy is generally categorized as part of a photovoltaic system(solar cells) or concentrated solar power (CSP) used with a steamturbine. Photovoltaic systems are comprised of devices that convertlight into electric current using the photovoltaic effect. Efficiency ofphotovoltaic systems can be low, but their efficiency has improved inthe recent years. Often these systems comprise solar cells arranged inan array, such as in a solar panel farm. The photovoltaic systems may ormay not be combined with CSPs, or the CSPs may be standalone. CSPs workby using lenses, mirrors, and other optics devices to focus sunlightinto a concentrated “beam” or light, using the heat of sunlight togenerate electricity from conventional means, e.g. steam-driven turbinesrather than converting photonic energy into electrical current. CSPsoften employ dishes, parabolas, or other such shapes and orientations inorder to properly focus the light beam. In one embodiment the CSPprovides electrical energy to power the coal beneficiation plant.

The renewable energy source may comprise a hydroelectric source.Hydroelectric power currently represents approximately 70% of allnon-nuclear renewable energy sources available, and just over 15% oftotal electricity worldwide. Accordingly, hydroelectric energy sourcesmay represent an attractive renewable energy source. Hydroelectricsources may be traditional sources, such as dams, or they may bepumped-storage, tidal power stations, or “run-of-the-river”hydroelectric power stations. Like solar cells, hydroelectric powersources have a number of distinct advantages and disadvantages that oneof ordinary skill in the art will appreciate when choosing whichrenewable energy source to integrate with a coal beneficiation process.Hydroelectric sources are flexible, have very low power costs, and aresustainable for industrial applications, e.g. the Hoover dam.Furthermore, they maintain a relatively constant power output level, asopposed to solar and wind. The power output of hydroelectric sourceshowever, are not always robust, unless the scale of the dam is massive.Furthermore, hydroelectric power sources are relatively restrictive onwhere they can be located, unlike several other renewable energysources, and must be located where water sources and terrain aresuitable. Hydroelectric power sources may also have negativeenvironmental impact, especially where damming is involved.Additionally, hydroelectric power output can vary seasonally.

The renewable energy source may comprise a wind power source. Wind powersystems generally have a minor environmental impact, especially whencompared to hydroelectric power sources, and have a smaller profile.Wind power sources are scalable, to a degree, in that wind farms cangenerally include the number of windmills needed to generate adequatepower, but only up to a point; there is a point at which, like solarenergy sources, that windmill farms become impracticable. This istypically accurate for large urban centers. However, wind power mayrepresent a good candidate for a renewable power source to power coalbeneficiation process because the power demands of coal beneficiationmay be limited relative to larger scale energy needs, which may besatisfied through the coal product. Furthermore, the wind power sourcesare less restrictive in their placement than both solar power sourcesand especially hydroelectric power sources, making them an attractiveoption. Wind power sources, however, are intermittent in powergeneration like that of solar cells, although their power generation isnot as temporally restricted as that of solar power, which is diurnal.Additionally, wind power sources typically generate less power thanother renewable energy sources, but depending on the power needs of thecoal beneficiation processes, may still represent an attractive option.

The renewable energy source may comprise wave power. Wave power is arelatively underutilized form of power, which harnesses the power ofwaves at sea and then captures the energy to perform useful work in awave energy converter (WEC). Wave power is distinct from tidal power, inthat wave power is a relatively constant source of energy owing to thesteady gyre of ocean currents, whereas tidal power, like solar power,has a diurnal flux, owing to the tidal current. WEC technology mayinclude point absorbers, attenuators, oscillating wave surge converters,oscillating water columns, overtopping devices, and submerged pressuredifferentials. The advantage of wave power is that it is a relativelyconstant source of renewable energy. The disadvantages of wave power isthat it, like traditional hydroelectric power, is relatively fixed inlocation, and that like wind power, it is generally not capable ofgenerating large amounts of electricity. However, as designs of WECimprove, these limitations may be overcome.

The renewable energy sources are integrated to the coal beneficiationprocesses so that the renewable energy source provides at least aportion of the energy to power the coal beneficiation process. Thebeneficiation process typically comprises reduction of the total watercontent of coal. Water is contained in coal in a number of differentforms such as free water, bound water, and non-freezing water, which areall included in the total water content of the coal. In this invention,the reduction of coal moisture is not bound by which type of moisture isimpacted, only that overall reduction of any water is reduced. The watercontent reduction can be less than about 1%, about 1%, about 2%, about3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%,about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%,about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, about98%, about 99%, or greater than about 99%, and any intervening rangestherein. As defined herein, the water content reduction as measured bypercent (%) water reduction is measured relative to the total watercontent of coal before and after beneficiation. By way of example,reducing water content from about 30% in pre-beneficiated coal to about15% in beneficiated coal comprises a water content reduction of about50%, and not of about 15%. The foregoing levels of water contentreduction have been reported Claude C. Corkadel, GTL Energy, Australiain World Coal, November 2013(https://www.worldcoal.com/magazine/world-coal/november-2013/), theentirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The coal beneficiation process increases the stored energy content ofthe coal, typically corresponding to reduction of the total watercontent of the coal. The stored energy content is typically, althoughnot necessarily, measured in BTUs. The stored energy content may beincreased by about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%,about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, about 100%, about 110%,about 120%, about 130%, about 140%, about 150%, about 160%, about 170%,about 180%, about 190%, about 200%, or greater than about 200%, and anyintervening ranges therein.

The coal beneficiation process may follow the following methods,although variations on such methods are within the knowledge of one ofordinary skill in the art and are expressly considered embodied by thepresent disclosure. Typically, the coal is crushed into macerals,optionally washed, compacted, dried, and then briquetted although thecrushing and washing stage may occur in different order. The crushingcan occur by a number of means known in the art, including, but notlimited to, through mechanical force, shredding, tearing, or throughsonication/vibrations. At this stage, the coal is typically (but notnecessarily) low ranking coal, such as lignite coal. Before or, ideally,after being pulverized or crushed into macerals, the macerals areoptionally subjected to a washing step, i.e. coal washing. Coal washingis a process known in the art by which the coal is separated based ondifference in specific gravity and impurities such as shale or sand,such that the impurities are “washed” out and what is left behind ispurer coal with a higher calorific value. The coal washing can occur viaa jig or some other gravity separation method, such as a dense mediumbath or a dense medium cyclone. A number of dense medium baths existincluding but not limited to teska bath, daniels bath, leebar bath,drewboy bath, barvoys bath, chance cone, wemco drums, tromp shallowbath, and combinations thereof. After the optional washing, the maceralsare typically compacted, although not necessarily.

The coal product is then subjected to water reduction, which serves toincrease the total stored energy content of the coal as measured in thetotal energy content of the coal (e.g. in BTUs) per unit mass (e.g. gramor kilogram) of the coal. The water reduction may occur via a number ofmeans, but particularly by mechanical water reduction, electrical waterreduction, and thermal water reduction. Mechanical water reduction isperhaps the most common means of water reduction, and may occur by anumber of processes. For example, the water reduction may occur bycentrifugation, including but not limited to screen bowl centrifugation,slurry screening, de-watering cyclones, and/or horizontal belt filters,and combinations thereof. The mechanical water reduction could alsooccur via application of high pressure in order to drive the water out.The coal beneficiation process may also comprise electrical waterreduction. The coal beneficiation process may comprise thermal waterreduction. Typically, a source of external heat is applied to the coalin order to evaporate and drive the water off Thermal water reductionmethods can be applied in conjunction with any of the other methods ofwater reduction. One preferred method of water reduction may utilizemicrowave-based demoisturization systems. Microwaves are capable ofexciting the water molecules trapped in coal, thus allowing the watertrapped within the coal to evaporate, without directly heating the coal.

The coal beneficiation process may occur at temperatures below atemperature at which coal and/or coal dust will spontaneously ignite,especially where microwave-based demoisturization systems are utilized.For example, the coal beneficiation process keeps the coal temperaturebelow about 500° C., below about 475° C., below about 400° C., belowabout 375° C., below about 350° C., below about 325° C., below about300° C., below about 275° C., below about 250° C., below about 225° C.,below about 200° C., below about 225° C., below about 200° C., belowabout 175° C., below about 150° C., below about 125° C., below about100° C., below about 95° C., below about 90° C., below about 85° C.,below about 80° C., and any intervening ranges therein. Furthermore, insuch embodiments, there is little to no oxidation or volatilization ofthe coal, thus leaving little to no harmful gasses or emissions from thebeneficiation process, minimizing environmental impact.

The coal beneficiation process may include the addition of one or morecoal additives to the coal during processing which would enhance thecapture of mercury generated when the coal is burned. The coal additivesmay include one or more halogens, e.g. one or more of fluorine (F),chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At), andcombinations thereof, their ions, salts (e.g. a metal halide), orcompositions containing one or more of fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl),bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At), and combinations thereof.The coal additives may include one or more metals or their ions, e.g.silver (Ag), copper (Cu), or nickel (Ni). The coal beneficiation processmay comprise removal of high ash content from the coal product. The coalbeneficiation process may comprise removal of mercury (Hg) and sulfur(S) containing compounds or compositions from the coal (e.g. SOx), aswell as nitrous oxides (e.g. NOx) and related compositions.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “and”and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

Where a value of ranges is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges which may independently be included inthe smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject toany specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the statedrange includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either bothof those included limits are also included in the invention.

The term “about” refers to a range of values which would not beconsidered by a person of ordinary skill in the art as substantiallydifferent from the baseline values. For example, the term “about” mayrefer to a value that is within 20%, 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%,3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value, as well asvalues intervening such stated values.

Publications disclosed herein are provided solely for their disclosureprior to the filing date of the present invention. Nothing herein is tobe construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitledto antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, thedates of publication provided may be different from the actualpublication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

Each of the applications and patents cited in this text, as well as eachdocument or reference, patent or non-patent literature, cited in each ofthe applications and patents (including during the prosecution of eachissued patent; “application cited documents”), and each of the PCT andforeign applications or patents corresponding to and/or claimingpriority from any of these applications and patents, and each of thedocuments cited or referenced in each of the application citeddocuments, are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. More generally, documents or references are cited inthis text, either in a Reference List before the claims; or in the textitself; and, each of these documents or references (“herein-citedreferences”), as well as each document or reference cited in each of theherein-cited references (including any manufacturer's specifications,instructions, etc.), is hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

What is claimed:
 1. A system for reducing carbon dioxide emissions froma coal-fired power plant by using electrical energy from a renewableelectricity source to reduce the amount of electrical energy needed toincrease the energy density in a beneficiated coal comprising: at leastone renewable electricity energy source; a coal processing plant,wherein the renewable electricity source is configured to power a coalbeneficiation process; and a coal-fired power plant configured tocombust the increased energy density beneficiated coal thereby producingelectricity on demand at an increased efficiency with reduced carbondioxide emissions from the plant.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein therenewable electricity source is selected from hydroelectric power, solarpower, wind power, wave power and combinations of the foregoing. 3.(canceled)
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein a location of the coalprocessing plant is selected from a coal mine, a coal transportationterminal, a coal-fired power plant, a same site as the non-carbonthermal energy source and combinations of the foregoing.
 5. The systemof claim 4 wherein the coal transportation terminal is selected fromterminals providing access to a ship, barge, rail, truck andcombinations of the foregoing.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the coalprocessing plant is integrated with a coal-fired power plant and sharesuse of coal handling, coal crushing and coal conveying equipment.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said increased energy density coal isconfigured to be stored, transported and later combusted to produce saidelectricity on demand.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The system of claim 1 in whichthe coal processing plant is configured to convert electrical energy tomicrowave energy to reduce the moisture content of the coal. 10.-12.(canceled)
 13. A system to store electricity from a renewableelectricity source by using the electricity to power in a coalprocessing plant to decrease the moisture content of coal resulting inan increased energy density beneficiated coal that can be subsequentlycombusted to produce electricity on demand comprising: a coal processingplant; at least one renewable electricity source configured to inputenergy into a coal beneficiation process in the coal processing plant toproduce the increased energy density coal that stores the inputtedrenewable electricity; and a coal-fired power plant configured toconvert the stored renewable electricity in the increased energy densitycoal to electricity on demand.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the atleast one renewable electricity source is selected from hydroelectricpower, solar power, wind power, wave power and combinations of theforegoing.
 15. The system of claim 13 wherein a location of the coalprocessing plant is selected from a coal mine, a coal transportationterminal, a coal-fired power plant, a same site as the renewableelectricity source and combinations of the foregoing.
 16. The system ofclaim 15 wherein the coal transportation terminal is selected fromterminals providing access to a ship, barge, rail, truck andcombinations of the foregoing.
 17. The system of claim 13 wherein thecoal processing plant is integrated with the coal-fired power plant andshares use of coal handling, coal crushing and coal conveying equipment.18. The system of claim 13 wherein said increased energy density coal isconfigured to be stored, transported and subsequently combusted toproduce said electricity on demand.
 19. The system of claim 13 whereinsaid at least one renewable electricity source is configured to preheatthe coal prior to processing. 20.-30. (canceled)
 31. The system of claim2 wherein the solar power is selected from photovoltaic panels or aconcentrated solar thermal system to produce the electrical energy. 32.The system of claim 1 where the coal beneficiation process involvesreducing a moisture content of the coal to increase an energy density ofthe coal.
 33. The system of claim 32 wherein the coal beneficiationprocess is configured to convert electrical energy to mechanical energyto reduce the moisture content of the coal.
 34. The system of claim 33wherein the mechanical energy to reduce moisture content compriseshigh-pressure compaction.
 35. The system of claim 32 wherein the coalprocessing plant is configured to convert electrical power to microwaveenergy to reduce the moisture content of the coal.
 36. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the coal beneficiation process further comprises theaddition of a halogen to the coal beneficiation process.
 37. The systemof claim 1 wherein the coal beneficiation process further comprises aremoval of sulfur-containing compounds from said coal.
 38. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising a thermal energy source configured to reducea quantity of the electrical energy necessary to power the beneficiationprocess.
 39. The system of claim 38 wherein the thermal energy isselected from fossil fuel combustion, waste energy, and combinations ofthe foregoing.
 40. The system of claim 39 wherein the waste energy isselected from waste heat and/or low-quality steam generated from a powerplant or industrial process.
 41. The system of claim 13 wherein thesolar power comprises either photovoltaic panels or a concentrated solarthermal system to produce the electrical energy.
 42. The system claim 13wherein the coal beneficiation process converts electrical energy tomechanical energy to reduce the water content of the coal.
 43. Thesystem of claim 42 wherein the mechanical energy to reduce the watercontent of coal comprises high-pressure compaction.
 44. The system ofclaim 43 wherein the coal processing plant is configured to convertelectrical power to microwave energy to remove moisture from the coal.45. The system of claim 13 further comprising a thermal energy source tosupplement the renewal electricity source and configured to reduce aquantity of electrical energy necessary to beneficiate the coal.
 46. Thesystem of claim 45 wherein the thermal energy is selected from fossilfuel combustion, waste energy, and combinations of the foregoing. 47.The system of claim 46 wherein the waste energy is selected from wasteheat and/or low-quality steam generated from a power plant or industrialprocess.